Keyboard tray and attached mouse platform having multiple degrees of movement

ABSTRACT

A computer peripheral support system includes a keyboard tray having a top surface, a left edge, a right edge, and a front edge, and is configured to retain a keyboard on the top surface thereof. A mouse platform is operatively coupled to the keyboard tray by a parallelogram arm, which includes a first end and a second end, and is configured to permit vertical elevation of the mouse platform relative to the keyboard tray. A locking mount is releasably attached to the keyboard tray and has an attachment portion coupled to the first end of the parallelogram arm. A ball pivot housing is operatively coupled to the mouse platform and includes an attachment portion operatively coupled to the second end of the scissor arm. A palm support is rotatably coupled to a circumferential portion of the mouse platform.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 61/688,949 filed May 25, 2012, entitled Keyboard/MousingPlatform, the entire content of which is hereby incorporated byreference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This application relates generally to support platforms for computerperipherals, and more particularly, to a keyboard tray and attachedmouse platform, typically for use with computers.

BACKGROUND

Increases in computer usage have created a need to provide a platformfor computer keyboards and mouse devices. Such platforms should allowfor easy access to the keyboard and mouse for use in an ergonomicallycorrect manner. Often, keyboard platforms are secured to a bracketingmechanism that is mounted to an underside of a horizontal surface, suchas a desk. The bracketing mechanism generally allows the keyboardplatform to be positioned under the horizontal surface of either thedesk or the work station when it is not in use. Such mechanisms aretypically not sufficiently configurable to provide proper ergonomicpositioning to both the keyboard and the mouse platform.

Further, many known platforms do not accommodate a mouse or otherpointer instrument. Mouse-type instruments have become increasinglypopular as a control interface. Users find such instruments natural andeasy to use, especially with the menu driven software that is prevalentin the market. Due to the convenience of keyboard drawers and platforms,and the necessity for mouse-type instruments, a need exists forcombination keyboard tray and mouse platform to hold a mouse next to thekeyboard tray.

Additionally, due to ergonomic considerations, users often hold awireless (or wired) keyboard on their lap so that the arms and wristsare in the proper ergonomic position. However, known supports fail toaccommodate such a lap-based usage for support of a mouse.

A need exists for an ergonomically correct keyboard tray and mouseplatform combination that can be either mounted by a bracket or arm to asupport surface, or that can be operated while the keyboard tray is heldon the user's lap while in a seated position.

SUMMARY

Certain embodiments of a computer peripheral support system include akeyboard tray having a top surface, a left edge, a right edge, and afront edge, and is configured to retain a keyboard on the top surfacethereof. A mouse platform is operatively coupled to the keyboard tray bya parallelogram arm, which includes a first end and a second end, whichis configured to permit vertical elevation of the mouse platformrelative to the keyboard tray. A locking mount is releasably attached tothe keyboard tray and has an attachment portion coupled to the first endof the parallelogram arm. A ball pivot housing is operatively coupled tothe mouse platform and includes an attachment portion operativelycoupled to the second end of the parallelogram arm. A palm support isrotatably coupled to a circumferential portion of the mouse platform.

In a further embodiment, the locking mount is configured to permit themouse platform to be continuously positionable along the right edge, thefront edge, and the left edge of the keyboard tray, respectively, whenthe locking mount is in an unlocked configuration. Further, when in anunlocked position, the locking mount is permits the parallelogram armand attached mouse platform to rotate in a plane of the keyboard tray,and permits the mouse platform to move along the front edge of thekeyboard tray, so as to permit continuous positioning of the mouseplatform along the right edge, the front edge, and the left edge of thekeyboard tray, respectively.

Other methods and systems, and features and advantages thereof will be,or will become, apparent to one with skill in the art upon examinationof the following figures and detailed description. It is intended thatthe scope of the invention will include the foregoing and all suchadditional methods and systems, and features and advantages thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasisinstead being placed upon illustrating various aspects thereof.Moreover, in the figures, like referenced numerals designatecorresponding parts throughout the different views.

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a keyboard tray and mouse platformaccording to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of the keyboard tray and mouseplatform according to an embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the keyboard tray and mouse platformsecured to a work surface by an extendable arm.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the keyboard tray and mouse platformsupported on the lap of a user in a working configuration.

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the keyboard tray and mouseplatform according to an embodiment.

FIGS. 6A-6C show three operational positions in elevation, of the mouseplatform;

FIGS. 7A and 7B are perspective views of the mouse platform twistedrelative to the keyboard tray.

FIGS. 8A-8C show top and bottom views of the mouse platform in anover-ten position.

FIGS. 9A-9D show top and bottom views of the mouse platform positionedalong the side and front of the keyboard tray.

FIG. 10 illustrates rotation of the palm support platform about themouse platform.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the palm support.

FIGS. 12A and 12B illustrate certain geometry of a parallelogram arm.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a computer peripheral support system 100 isshown, which includes a keyboard tray 104 configured to retain akeyboard (not shown) on a top surface 106 of the keyboard tray 104. Thekeyboard tray 104 is defined by the top surface 106, a bottom surface110, a left edge 112, a right edge 114, and a front edge 116. Thekeyboard tray 104 may include a plurality of apertures 122 to permitairflow therethrough to dissipate heat when the keyboard tray 104 ispositioned on a lap of a user. Four bosses 270 may be integrally moldedin the bottom surface 110 of the keyboard tray. A removable rectangularpalm pad 130 may be optionally attached toward the forward edge 116 ofthe top surface 106 of the keyboard tray 104.

A mouse platform 140 may be operatively coupled to the keyboard tray 104by a parallelogram arm 202, which has a first end 204 for attachment anda second end 206 for attachment. The parallelogram arm 202 permitsvertical elevation of the mouse platform 140 relative to the keyboardtray 104, including elevation of the mouse platform 140 above a plane ofthe keyboard tray 104 and below the plane of the keyboard tray 104.Preferably, the keyboard tray 104 and mouse platform 140 are eachintegrally molded from high-impact plastic or other suitable material.Injection molding processes or other suitable processes may be used toform the keyboard tray 104 and mouse platform 140, or other moldedcomponents of the system.

The computer peripheral support system 100 may further include a lockingmount 216 configured to lockably attach to the keyboard tray 104. Thelocking mount 216 includes an attachment tab 222, which is configured tocouple to the first end 204 of the parallelogram arm 202. A ball pivothousing 230 may be operatively coupled to the mouse platform 140,preferably to a bottom portion 234 of the mouse platform 140. The ballpivot housing 230 may include an attachment or vertical wall plate orplate structure 240 that is operatively coupled to the second end 206 ofthe parallelogram arm 202.

The mouse platform 140 preferably includes a palm support 250 rotatablycoupled to a circumferential portion 254 of the mouse platform 140. Thepalm support 250 may include a sloping palm edge surface 260 disposedtoward one end of the palm support 140, and a mouse retaining wall 150disposed toward an opposite end of the palm support 250.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, FIG. 3 shows one embodiment where thekeyboard tray 104 may be attached to a desk or other work surface 302 byan extendable arm 304. In this embodiment, a first end 308 of theextendable arm 304 may be affixed to the work surface 302, while asecond end 312 of the extendable arm 304 may be fastened to the bottomsurface 110 of the keyboard tray 104 by screws received within the fourbosses 270 integrally molded in the bottom surface 110. Any suitablemean for affixing the extendable arm 304 to the keyboard tray 104 may beused. Additionally, a handle or grip portion 272 (FIG. 2) may be securedto or molded into the bottom surface 110 of the keyboard tray 104 topermit the user to grip and move the keyboard tray 104 when used inmounted configuration.

In contrast, FIG. 4 shows an alternative work arrangement where thecomputer peripheral support system 100 is untethered from the worksurface 302 and instead is supported on the lap of the user. When thekeyboard tray 104 is supported on the user's lap, heat generated by theuser's body tends to rise and is directed through the plurality ofapertures 122 formed in the body of the keyboard tray 104 so that excessheat is dissipated. This increases user satisfaction and comfort bymaintaining the user at cooler temperature.

Referring now FIGS. 1-2 and 5, FIG. 5 shows an exploded view of thevarious interconnecting components. A channel or groove 502 may bedisposed in the bottom surface 110 of the keyboard tray 104, which mayextend through an entire thickness of the keyboard tray 104, or may onlyextend through a portion of the thickness of the keyboard tray 104.Preferably, the channel or groove 502 extends laterally through most ofthe width of the keyboard tray 104 while maintaining the structuralintegrity of the keyboard tray 104.

The locking mount 216 securely and releasably couples the mouse platform140 to the keyboard tray 104 via the parallelogram arm 202, and isaffixed to or affixed within the channel or groove 502. A locking screw510 may secure the locking mount 216 to the keyboard tray 104, and maybe received within a pem-nut or other suitable self-retaining fasteninghardware (not shown) slidably mounted within the channel 502. Thelocking screw 510 permits the locking mount 216 (and mouse platform 140coupled to the parallelogram arm 202) to be moved along the entirelength of the channel 502 so as to position the mouse platform 140 atthe left side 112 or the right side 114 of the keyboard tray, oroptionally, along the front portion 116 of the keyboard tray 104, whichsome users prefer. Once the mouse platform 140 is in a preferredlocation relative the keyboard tray 104, the locking screw 510 may betightened to fix the locking mount 216, and hence the mouse platform140, in position.

Accordingly, the mouse platform 140 is continuously positionable alongthe left edge 112, the front edge 116 and the right edge 114 of thekeyboard tray 104 for increased user flexibility and configurability.Note that the entire assembly including the parallelogram arm 202 andthe mouse platform may also pivot about an axis 512 of the locking screw510.

The parallelogram arm 202 is formed by two elongated parallel arms 520,522, a set of vertical pivot plates 524, 526 on one side, and thevertical wall plate 240 formed as part of the ball pivot housing 230 onthe other side. The vertical pivot plates 524, 526 may be fixedlymounted to the attachment tab 222 of the locking mount 216 by a verticalpivot plate screw 528 or other suitable fastener. This permits theparallelogram arm 202 and attached mouse platform 140 to pivot about anaxis 530 of the vertical pivot plate screw 528.

The pair of vertical pivot plates 524, 526 in conjunction with theattachment tab 222 form a left-side “vertical sidewall” of theparallelogram arm 222 because the distance between the vertical pivotplates 524, 526 caused by the interposed attachment tab 222 creates avertical spacing therebetween that acts as the vertical sidewall, andhence provides one “sidewall” of the parallelogram arm 202 even thoughsuch wall or structure is formed by multiple components.

The vertical pivot plates, 524, 526 in turn, are coupled to the firstend 204 of the corresponding elongated parallel arms 520, 522, while thesecond end 206 of the corresponding elongated parallel arms 520, 522 arecoupled to the vertical wall plate 240 of the ball pivot housing 230.The first and second ends 204, 206 of the elongated parallel arms 520,522 are fixed in a pivoting orientation to the vertical pivot plates524, 526 and the vertical wall plate 240, respectively, using pins orother suitable retaining hardware.

Accordingly, the elongated parallel arms 520, 522, the vertical pivotplates 524, 526, and the vertical wall plate 240 form aparallelogram-like linkage. Because opposite ends 204, 206 of theelongated parallel arms 520, 522 are coupled by pins that allow pivotingof the connected linkages, the angle of the parallelogram, that is, theangle between a selected parallel arm 520, 522 and its adjacent verticalplate or wall, may be increased or decreased, thus providing thescissor-like action configured to raise or lower the mouse platform 140coupled to the second end 206 of the parallelogram arm 202.

A height adjustment screw 540 may be fixedly mounted to one of the twoparallel arms 520, 522 and slidingly mounted to the other of the twoparallel arms via a slot 524 in one of the two parallel arms 520, 522.This permits the height adjustment screw to slide as the parallel armschange sliding longitudinal orientation as a corresponding compressionknob 542 is tightened or loosened.

As shown in FIGS. 6A-6C, FIG. 6A shows the parallelogram arm structure202 maintaining the mouse platform 140 at a highest elevation relativeto the keyboard tray 104. In this configuration, the parallelogram-likeshape of the parallelogram arm 202 is in its most “squeezed”configuration where supplementary angles are most extreme, for example10 degrees and 170 degrees. This “squeezed” configuration is shown inFIG. 12A and discussed in greater detail below. FIG. 6B shows theparallelogram arm structure 202 maintaining the mouse platform 140 at anintermediate elevation relative to the keyboard tray 104, and FIG. 6Cshows the parallelogram arm structure 202 maintaining the mouse platform140 at a lowest elevation relative to the keyboard tray 104. In thislowest configuration, the parallelogram-like structure most resembles arectangle, where supplementary angles are least extreme, for example 80degrees and 100 degrees. This “rectangular-like” configuration is shownin FIG. 12B and discussed in greater detail below. The supplementaryangles generally are explained in greater detail in FIGS. 12A and 12B.

When the compression knob 542 is tightened, the vertical space betweenthe two parallel arms 520, 522 is reduced, as shown in FIGS. 6A and 12A,causing one parallel arm to extend in the horizontal direction relativeto the other parallel arm as the parallelogram arm appears to “flatten.”Conversely, when the compression knob 542 is loosened, the verticalspace between the two parallel arms 520, 522 is increased, as shown inFIG. 6C and 12B, causing one parallel arm to retract in the horizontaldirection relative to the other parallel arm as the parallelogram armappears to be more rectangular. In operation, the force of gravitycauses the mouse platform to lower as the parallelogram arm assumes amore rectangular shape, as shown in FIG. 6C and 12B. Preferably, toavoid binding of the height adjustment screw 540, the maximum anglebetween one parallel adjustment arm and an adjacent vertical wall isabout 80 degrees, or about 10 degrees less than a true rectangle, asshown in FIG. 12B.

Referring back to FIGS. 1-2 and 5, the second end 206 of the elongatedparallel arms 520, 522 are coupled by the pins (not shown) to thevertical wall plate 240 integrally formed as part of the ball pivothousing 230. The ball pivot housing 230, in turn, may be operativelycoupled to a convex hemispherical bulge 550 integrally formed in thebottom surface 234 of the mouse platform 140. The convex hemisphericalbulge 550 is configured to cooperate with a corresponding concavehemispherical depression 552 formed in the ball pivot housing 230. Theball pivot housing 230 may be affixed to the convex hemispherical bulge550 via a ball pivot screw 556 whose axis relative to the mouse platformis allowed to vary so as to permit convex hemispherical bulge 550 toslide in any direction within and along the concave hemisphericaldepression 552, so as to vary the plane of the mouse platform 140. Thus,the mouse platform 140 is able to pivot relative to a plane of thekeyboard tray 104 and is able to rotate along an axis 564 of the ballpivot screw 560 perpendicular to the surface of the mouse platform 140.

The length of the parallel arm 540, 542 may be any suitable length, butpreferably, a ratio of a length of the parallel arms to a height of thecorresponding vertical wall plates is about 5:1. Thus, for example, ifthe distance between the vertical wall plates is about 0.5 inches (e.g.,vertical side wall is about 0.5 inches in height), meaning that theshorter sides of the parallelogram arm is about 0.5 inches, the totalvertical adjustment height will be about five times that amount, orabout 2.50 inches. This provides sufficient maximum elevation so thatthe mouse platform will clear the top of a typical keyboard when used inthe over-ten position. Of course, these ratios may vary depending on thematerial used, the amount of stiffness or flexing permitted, and theactual height of the keyboard placed on the keyboard tray. The ratio mayvary from about 3:1 to about 7:1.

FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate movement of the mouse platform 140 relativeto the keyboard tray 104 along various different axes. In FIG. 7A, themouse platform 140 is shown twisting from side to side along alongitudinal axis 710 of the keyboard tray, which is afforded by thecoupling between ball pivot housing 230 and the convex hemisphericalbulge 550 disposed on the bottom portion 234 of the mouse platform 140.The degree of movement may be limited to an area of overlap between theconcave hemispherical depression 552 and the convex hemispherical bulge550 and the location where the bottom surface 234 of the mouse platform140 contacts an outer peripheral edge 566 of the ball pivot housing 230.In FIG. 7B, the mouse platform 140 is shown tilting along a lateral axis720.

Referring to FIGS. 8A-8C, when the height of the mouse platform 140 isadjusted to be about the same height of the keyboard tray 140, rotationof the mouse platform 140 may be limited because the edge of the mouseplatform 140 may contact the edge of the keyboard tray. Note that themouse platform 140 may be pivoted generally within the plane or parallelto a plane of the keyboard tray, along three pivoting axes, namely, theaxis 564 of the ball pivot screw 560, the axis 530 of the vertical pivotplate screw 528, and the axis 512 of the locking screw 510.

When the height of the mouse platform 140 is adjusted to be lower orhigher that the plane of the keyboard tray 104, the degree of rotationof the mouse platform 140 is significantly increased because the edge ofthe mouse platform 140 is not blocked by the edge of the keyboard tray104 (or keyboard) and the mouse platform 140 may overlap a plane of thekeyboard tray 104 and assume an over-ten position in which the mouseplatform 140 is positioned more toward the front of the keyboard or userrather than toward the right of the user.

The over-ten position is an important ergonomic consideration becausekeyboard users who make extensive use of the side mounted numerickeypads prefer to have the mouse in the same position relative to thenumeric keypad and located above that keypad. Accordingly, because themouse platform 140 is able to be elevated above the plane of thekeyboard, and sufficiently above a keyboard disposed on the keyboardtray, it may be inwardly rotated to intersect the plane of the keyboardtray 104 and provide the over-ten hand position to users who prefer thisposition.

FIGS. 9A-9D further illustrate various positions of the mouse platform140 relative to the keyboard tray 140 and show that by locking andunlocking of the locking mount 216 in the corresponding channel 502(FIGS. 2 and 5), the mouse platform 140 may continuously positionablealong the left edge 112, the front edge 116 and the right edge 114 ofthe keyboard tray for increased user flexibility and configurability. Asshown in FIGS. 8A-8C the mouse platform 140 may be pivoted along thethree pivoting axes, namely, the axis 564 of the ball pivot screw 560,the axis 530 of the vertical pivot plate screw 528, and the axis 512 ofthe locking screw 510.

Returning now to FIG. 5 in conjunction with FIGS. 10 and 11, the palmsupport 250 is shown in greater detail. Preferably, the palm support 250is an integrally formed component and includes the palm edge surface 260configured to slope downwardly from a top surface 1006 of the mouseplatform 140 so as to support a palm or wrist of a user. The slope ofthe palm edge surface 260 is shown in greater detail in thecross-sectional view of FIG. 11.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 10-11, the palm support 250 has a circular innerperipheral wall 1010 and an oblong outer peripheral wall 1020. Theoblong shape is caused by the oblong contour of the palm edge surface260. The circular inner peripheral wall 1010 of the palm support 250 isconfigured to form a frictional or snap fit with a correspondingcircular outer peripheral wall 1030 of the mouse platform 140. Thispermits the palm support 250 to concentrically rotate about a centeraxis 1040 of the mouse platform 140. The palm support 250 is rotatablycoupled to the outer circumferential wall 1030 of the mouse platform140, thus permitting it to rotate freely and in any direction, about themouse platform 140.

Note that for ergonomic considerations, a highest surface elevation ofthe palm edge surface 260 is about level with or below the top surface1006 of the palm support 250. For user convenience, the low profileretaining wall 150 is formed along a portion of the outer peripheralwall 1020 of the palm support 250, preferable at a location oppositefrom the palm edge surface 260 along a diameter 1062 of the mouseplatform 140. The retaining wall 150 prevents the mouse from beingdragged off of the mouse platform by the user.

Referring now to FIGS. 12A and 12B in conjunction with FIG. 5, FIGS. 12Aand 12B illustrate certain geometrical attributes of the parallelogramarm 202 in schematic format. The parallelogram arm 202 in conjunctionwith the height adjustment screw 540 and compression knob 542 providesfor a simple and elegant mechanism that is very intuitive to use. Simplerotation of the compression knob 542 about the height adjustment screw540 reciprocally and continuously adjusts the elevation of the mouseplatform 140, and the height adjustment screw 540 is the sole adjustmentmechanism. Hence, user satisfaction is increased.

Preferably, the height adjustment screw 540 and the elongated slot aredisposed at about a midpoint along the length of the parallel arms 520,522 so that the compressive and expansive forces exerted are generallyequal. The compression knob 542 is configured to cooperate with theadjustment screw 540 to reciprocally increase and decrease force appliedto the two parallel arms 520, 522 in a direction substantiallyperpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the parallel arms. The forcemay be reciprocally applied, meaning that tightening the compressionknob 542 increases the force tending to compress the first parallel arm520 toward the second parallel arm 522, while loosening the adjustmentknob decreases the compressive force.

This reciprocally applied force causes the first parallel arm 520 toslide relative to the second parallel arm 522 in a direction of thelongitudinal axis of the parallel arms, and causes supplementary anglesto change between the parallel arms and the corresponding adjacentvertical sidewalls, respectively, which vertical sidewalls inconjunction with the elongated parallel arms 520, 522, form the shape ofthe parallelogram.

FIGS. 12A and 12B more clearly illustrate the supplementary anglesassociated with the parallelogram arm 202. Any pair of adjacent anglesin a parallelogram are referred to as supplementary angles, and the sumof any two such angles is 180 degrees. In FIG. 12A, for example, theattachment point of the parallelogram arm 202 to the lower verticalpivot plate 526 is shown at vertex “A,” while the attachment point tothe upper vertical pivot plate 524 is shown at vertex “C.” Similarly,vertices “B” and “D” attach to opposite ends of the vertical wall plate240.

FIG. 12A shows the parallelogram arm in its most compressed state, wherethe change in the supplementary angles causes the mouse platform to movein elevation relative to the keyboard tray to its highest elevation, asalso shown in FIG. 6A. The change of the supplementary angles as theheight of the mouse platform 140 changes is continuous from a minimumsupplementary angle difference to a maximum supplementary angledifference. FIG. 12A shows, for example, a maximum supplementary angledifference where one angle of the two supplementary angles may be about10 degrees and the other angle of the two supplementary angles may beabout 170 degrees. Thus, the maximum supplementary angle difference isabout 160 degrees in this example. In such a configuration, theelongated parallel arms 540, 542 may actually touch so as to limit themaximum height of the mouse platform.

Note that FIG. 12A is not necessarily drawn to scale with respect thelength of the parallel arms 540, 542 relative to the height of thevertical sidewall 240. Preferably, the ratio between the length of theparallel arms 540, 542 relative to the height of the vertical sidewall240 is set so that the height adjustment screw 540 may be placed atabout the midpoint of one of the parallel arms 540, 542 and receivedwithin the elongated slot 524. Currently, as shown in FIG. 12A, themidpoint of the parallel arm 540 is beyond the vertex “B,” but is shownin this exaggerated manner for purposes of illustration and clarityonly.

FIG. 12B shows the parallelogram arm in its most uncompressed state ormost “rectangular” state, where the change in the supplementary anglescauses the mouse platform to move in elevation relative to the keyboardtray to its lowest elevation, as also shown in FIG. 6CA. The change ofthe supplementary angles as the height of the mouse platform 140 changesis continuous from a minimum supplementary angle difference to a maximumsupplementary angle difference. FIG. 12B shows, for example, a minimumsupplementary angle difference where one angle of the two supplementaryangles may be about 80 degrees and the other angle of the twosupplementary angles may be about 100 degrees. Thus, the minimumsupplementary angle difference is about 20 degrees in this example.

Although the invention has been described with respect to various systemand method embodiments, it will be understood that the invention isentitled to protection within the full scope of the appended claims.

1. A computer peripheral support system, comprising: a keyboard trayhaving a top surface, a left edge, a right edge, and a front edge, thekeyboard tray configured to retain a keyboard on the top surfacethereof; a mouse platform operatively coupled to the keyboard tray by aparallelogram arm, the parallelogram arm having a first end and a secondend, and configured to permit vertical elevation of the mouse platformrelative to the keyboard tray; a locking mount configured to releasablyattach to the keyboard tray and having an attachment portion coupled tothe first end of the parallelogram arm; a ball pivot housing operativelycoupled to the mouse platform and having an attachment portionoperatively coupled to the second end of the parallelogram arm; and apalm support rotatably coupled to a circumferential portion of the mouseplatform.
 2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the locking mountis configured to permit the mouse platform to be continuouslypositionable along the right edge, the front edge, and the left edge ofthe keyboard tray, respectively, when the locking mount is in anunlocked configuration.
 3. The system according to claim 1, wherein thelocking mount, when in an unlocked position, is configured to permit theparallelogram arm and attached mouse platform to rotate in a plane ofthe keyboard tray, and configured to move along the front edge of thekeyboard tray, to permit continuous positioning of the mouse platformalong the right edge, the front edge, and the left edge of the keyboardtray, respectively.
 4. The system according to claim 1, including achannel or track disposed along a forward portion of the keyboard trayand configured to secure the locking mount to the keyboard tray.
 5. Thesystem according to claim 4, wherein the locking mount is lockinglyslidable within the channel or track to permit continuous positioning ofthe mouse platform along a longitudinal axis of the keyboard tray. 6.The system according to claim 1, wherein the ball pivot housing isoperatively coupled to a bottom surface of the mouse platform andconfigured to permit the mouse platform to pivot relative to a plane ofthe keyboard tray.
 7. The system according to claim 1, wherein the ballpivot housing is configured to permit the mouse platform to pivotrelative to a plane of the keyboard tray, and configured to permit themouse platform to rotate along an axis perpendicular to the surface ofthe mouse platform.
 8. The system according to claim 7, wherein when themouse platform is elevated above or below the surface of the keyboardtray, and wherein rotation of the mouse platform about the axisperpendicular to the surface of the mouse platform permits a plane ofthe mouse platform to overlap a plane of the keyboard tray and assume anover-ten position.
 9. The system according to claim 1, wherein the palmsupport includes a palm edge surface configured to slope downwardly froma top surface of the mouse platform so as to support a palm or wrist ofa user.
 10. The system according to claim 9, wherein the palm supporthas a circular inner peripheral wall and an oblong outer peripheralwall, the circular inner peripheral wall of the palm support configuredto form a frictional or snap fit with a corresponding circular outerperipheral wall of the mouse platform, and to permit the palm support toconcentrically rotate about the mouse platform.
 11. The system accordingto claim 9, wherein the palm edge surface is oblong in shape so that theouter peripheral wall of the palm support is oblong in shape.
 12. Thesystem according to claim 1, wherein a highest elevation of the palmsurface is level with or below a top surface of the mouse support. 13.The system according to claim 1, wherein the parallelogram arm includestwo parallel arms pivotingly coupled at the first end and at the secondend, respectively, so as to form as a parallelogram.
 14. The systemaccording to claim 13, further including an adjustment screw fixedlymounted to one of the two parallel arms and slidingly mounted to theother of the two parallel arms.
 15. The system according to claim 1,wherein the keyboard tray includes plurality of apertures to permitairflow therethrough to dissipate heat when the keyboard tray ispositioned on a lap of a user.
 16. The system according to claim 1,wherein the keyboard tray includes a bottom surface having a pluralityof bosses formed therein, the bosses configured to attach to a first endof an extendable arm, the extendable arm having a second end configuredto mount to an underside of a work surface.
 17. A keyboard tray andmouse platform, comprising: a keyboard tray configured to retain akeyboard peripheral on the top surface thereof; a mouse platformoperatively coupled to the keyboard tray by an adjustable arm, theadjustable arm configured to permit vertical elevation of the mouseplatform relative to the keyboard tray; a locking mount configured toattach to the keyboard tray to a first end of the adjustment arm; apivot assembly operatively coupled to the mouse platform and to a secondend of the adjustable arm; and a palm support rotatably coupled to themouse platform.
 18. The system according to claim 17, wherein when themouse platform is elevated above or below the surface of the keyboardtray, and wherein rotation of the mouse platform about an axisperpendicular to the surface of the mouse platform permits a plane ofthe mouse platform to overlap a plane of the keyboard tray and assume anover-ten position.
 19. The system according to claim 17, wherein thepalm support includes a palm edge surface configured to slope downwardlyfrom a surface of the mouse platform so as to support a palm or wrist ofa user.
 20. The system according to claim 17, wherein the palm supporthas a circular inner peripheral wall and an oblong outer peripheralwall, the circular inner peripheral wall of the palm support configuredto form a frictional or snap fit with a corresponding circular outerperipheral wall of the mouse platform, to permit the palm support torotate about the mouse platform and in a plane of the mouse platform.21. An arm configured couple a keyboard tray to a mouse platform,comprising: first and second parallel arms having a first ends andsecond ends, respectively, and having a longitudinal axis; a left-sidevertical sidewall pivotingly coupled to the first ends of the first andsecond parallel arms, respectively; a right-side vertical sidewallpivotingly coupled to the second end of the first and second parallelarms, respectively; the first and second parallel arms, the left-sideand right-side vertical sidewalls forming a parallelogram-shaped arm,the parallelogram-shaped arm operatively coupling the keyboard tray tothe mouse platform and permitting a change in elevation between thekeyboard tray and the mouse platform; an adjustment screw fixedlymounted to one of the two parallel arms and extending through anelongated slot in another of the two parallel arms; an adjustment knobconfigured to cooperate with the adjustment screw to reciprocallyincrease and decrease force applied to the two parallel arms in adirection substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis; whereinthe reciprocally applied force causes the first parallel arm to sliderelative to the second parallel arm in a direction of the longitudinalaxis, and causes supplementary angles to change between the parallelarms and the corresponding adjacent vertical sidewalls, respectively;and wherein the change in the supplementary angles causes the mouseplatform to move in elevation relative to the keyboard tray.
 22. Thesystem according to claim 21, wherein a ratio of a length of theparallel arms to a height of the vertical sidewalls is about between 3:1and 7:1, and preferable is about 5:1.
 23. The system according to claim21, wherein the change of the supplementary angles is continuous from aminimum supplementary angle difference to maximum supplementary angledifference.
 24. The system according to claim 23, wherein the minimumsupplementary angle difference is about 20 degrees, and the maximumsupplementary angle difference is about 160 degrees.
 25. The systemaccording to claim 23, wherein the minimum supplementary angledifference of about twenty degrees corresponds to supplementary anglesof 80 degrees and 100 degrees, respectively, and wherein the maximumsupplementary angle difference of about 160 degrees corresponds tosupplementary angles of 10 degrees and 170 degrees, respectively. 26.The system according to claim 23, wherein adjustment screw and elongatedslot are disposed at about a midpoint along a length of the first andsecond parallel arms.